How NOT To Tell People You’re A Christian

I’m far from a perfect Christian and I’ve learned early that it’s best not to tell people you are a follower of Christ if you have no plans on living His teachings. I have also always believed that Christianity demands the practice of utmost compassion and understanding towards other people, regardless of their religious belief, political stance, ethnic background or sexual orientation.

Christianity in its most basic sense is founded on God’s love and the value of sharing His teachings in a way that will lead people to Christ. If your method of sharing your faith will only drive people away from Christ, then your approach demands a second look – especially of its motives. If your goal is to tell people you’re a Christian and intend to emphasize the importance of your faith, you will not insult them, put them down and more importantly, degrade their character.

To lambast a sector of society for how they live, in a setting obviously driven by self interest, and invoking such attack in the name
of the Christian faith is far from Christian. And it’s the worst way to tell people that you live as one.

When Jesus Christ roamed the earth, the very people most offended and disturbed by His presence where the self-righteous and politically motivated religious leaders of His day. They were the very people who proclaimed the coming of a Messiah while condemning people’s sins and iniquities in the public squares and parading their own good works. The very heralds of the faith where busy plotting to refute His teachings and find fault in His ways so they can crucify Him, while Jesus Christ was occupied healing the sick, feeding the hungry and empowering the outcasts of a society that supposedly follows God’s word to the letter. They were so consumed at practicing their religion, they missed the very reason and person of why they serve God.

Rick Perry’s most recent video campaign (see above) did not, in any way, represent Christians in a good light. It insulted men and women who risk their lives to defend this very nation. It portrayed Christians as victims. And because of it’s timing and obvious goal, it presented us as religious opportunists, ready to use our faith to gain fame or position.

I am a Christian who is not afraid, despite my obvious flaws and failures, to admit I’m a Christian. However, I will never (or do my best not to) profess my faith in a way that will hurt people and give Christ, the very reason for our Christian faith, a bad name.

Well said. It’s nice to see a Christian voice their dissent on this silly ad, and as a whole, using Christianity as a political tool to win votes. It’s people like Rick Perry that give followers of other faiths and non-believers negative opinions on Christians. However, seeing the widespread negative response to this ad has been a relief. I think the lopsided sense of repugnance (erring against Governor Moron) represents a turning point in our culture, where eight years ago, it may have been something offenders could get away with, now, their motives have become transparent.